Wednesday, January 29, 2014

We ventured to a tree farm close to home. It was a small farm and had very little choices in the sparse noble firs that we like. One of these days I'll find the perfect farm. Not too far from home, great selection and reasonably priced trees. It was FREEZING!! but the sun was shinning and it was beautiful out. We bundled up (with multiple layers) and off we went.

It is the fastest we EVER picked out a tree. It was so cold and not a lot to choose from. Ta da!

The one

Claire wanted to help cut it down

Us girls

They did have these cool pulley things. Made it super easy to get it to the truck

Claire took this one

Dave and Claire

Sorry no pictures of it all decorate. Claire helped this year. It was fun but frustrating as she liked to clump the ornaments all in one spot.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

We had lots of fun adventures in the month of December. Keizer hosts a Christmas Starlight parade every year. Our home is just a few blocks from the parade route so we walked down. The downside is we are at the end of the route and had to wait a long time for the floats and cars to get to us.

The Anderson girls with us and Vonda, Brad and Jossie joined in the fun too. Thankfully Vonda brought blankets and chairs for all of us to share. Although we were all bundled up the ground would have been too cold on our tushies. The girls did a great job waiting patiently. We sang Christmas songs and drank hot cocoa. It was lots of fun and next year we know that we don't have to get there so early, in fact we can be really late and be totally fine, not missing a thing. :)

Abigail, Claire, Emma, Jossie and Olivia waiting for the parade to start

Emma watching the parade

Olivia, Edie, Abigail and Claire

Movie time afterwards

Next up on our adventures was Christmas lights. Lots of Christmas lights. We decided to forgo our normal Zoo light and Grotto viewing and try more local venues.

Mission Mill in Salem had a fun activities along with their light display. We made reindeer food, wrote a letter to deployed soldiers, toured the old woolen mill, used a loom and attempted to see Santa Claus. Claire stood in line for a few minutes before changing her mind.

The Oregon Garden in Silverton also had a Christmas light display. It was okay. This being only their second year having a display there is lots of room for improvement and growth. Dave and I are more excited to back to the garden in the spring or summer to check out all the plants and flowers. We are such nerds.

Our attempt a family selfie

Although, I don't have any pictures to share another fun night was when we toured Keizer's Christmas lights. There is a route of houses in Keizer of two miles or so that all decorate their houses. We decided to surprise the girls one night after bath time instead of getting ready for bed we load up in the car, all in our pj's. We had popcorn, hot cocoa and Christmas music ready to go. Both girls fell asleep on the way home. Ahhh! Fun memories and I think a start of a new tradition.